More choice for Europe's travellers

Addressing the prestigious Vlerick Marketing Colloquium in the Belgian city of Ghent, Mr Hogan said Etihad Airways was delivering more choice for passengers by providing connections between Europe and a range of other destinations, via the Arabian Gulf.

Evolving partnerships between airlines in Europe and the Middle East are
delivering significant new options for international air travellers, including
reconnecting markets no longer served by European carriers, the President and
Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, Mr James Hogan, said today.

Addressing the prestigious Vlerick Marketing Colloquium in the Belgian
city of Ghent, Mr Hogan said Etihad Airways was delivering more choice for
passengers by providing connections between Europe and a range of other
destinations, via the Arabian Gulf.

Mr Hogan said European airlines also were gaining significant numbers of
passengers delivered to them by Gulf airlines, feeding traffic into Europe from
markets including South East Asia, the Indian sub-continent and Australasia.

European nations were benefiting from increased inbound tourism,
particularly from markets such as Australia where a strong local currency was
driving significant growth in international travel.

Using the example of Europe-Australia travel, Mr Hogan said key European
airlines had either withdrawn their own services to Australia or scaled them
back over many years, opting instead to serve the market through codeshare
partnerships with other carriers.

“It is impossible for every airline to fly to every market,” said Mr
Hogan. “These days, airlines achieve global coverage in a more cost-effective
way through partnerships with like-minded carriers,” he said.

“Australia has a large number of residents of European heritage, but no
longer has any flights operated by carriers based in continental Europe,” Mr
Hogan said.

He said Europe was a significant region for Etihad Airways, but one
which the airline could not serve effectively or efficiently in its own right.

“We serve Europe through codeshare or equity alliances with 18 partners,
delivering strong benefits to all of the carriers and more choice for
travellers, and we continue to look for opportunities to build upon these
relationships” said Mr Hogan.

Recently, Etihad Airways also increased codeshare operations with two
other major partners in Europe, Air France and Alitalia, providing greater
access to markets such as Australia and South East Asia, flying via Abu Dhabi.

From June 15, Etihad Airways will commence daily flights between Abu Dhabi
and the Serbian capital, Belgrade.

This partnership also will include extensive codesharing with
JatAirways, the national carrier of the Republic of Serbia, providing JatAirways
with connections between Belgrade and markets including Australia, South East
Asia, Africa and the Indian sub-continent, while linking Etihad Airways with a
range of destinations in the JatAirways network.

“Our codeshare relationships in Europe, together with our equity
partnerships in airberlin and Aer Lingus, are delivering significant benefits
not only to each of these airlines and to Etihad Airways, but also great
convenience and choice to the customers who fly with us,” Mr Hogan said.

“We expect our relationships will continue to grow, not only with these
and other airline partners in Europe, but also in other key markets.”

Contact Us

As a truly international airline, we have a genuinely global presence. Find out how to contact your nearest Etihad office. View contact details

Feedback

Should you wish to send us a comment, compliment, or complaint, or simply ask a question, please click here